Authentic Italian Basil Pesto - Pesto Genovese
Making your own authentic Italian basil pesto is so easy! You’re going to love the fresh taste, enjoying it a sauce, condiment or dip. The fresh flavor is just amazing.
Servings: 8 ounces
Equipment
- Mortar and Pestle
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add sea salt flakes and garlic cloves to a marble mortar and crush into a paste.
- Next, add the pine nuts and crush.
- Add basil leaves 1 tablespoon at a time. Use the mortar to crush into a paste. Continue adding basil until all leaves are used.
- Add the grated parmesan and grind into paste.
- Add in the olive oil and mix until incorporated.
- Transfer into a sealable container or glass jar keep and refrigerated.
Notes
Use fresh basil: Choose bright green basil leaves without bruising or brown spots for the freshest flavor.
Toast the pine nuts: Lightly toast pine nuts in a dry pan to enhance their natural flavor and add depth to the pesto.
Add oil gradually: Incorporate olive oil slowly while mixing to achieve your preferred consistency.
Crush, don’t chop: Crushing ingredients with a mortar releases their essential oils, providing superior flavor compared to blending or chopping.
Adjust consistency as needed: Thin pesto with extra oil for dressings, or keep thicker for spreading and dipping.
Toast the pine nuts: Lightly toast pine nuts in a dry pan to enhance their natural flavor and add depth to the pesto.
Add oil gradually: Incorporate olive oil slowly while mixing to achieve your preferred consistency.
Crush, don’t chop: Crushing ingredients with a mortar releases their essential oils, providing superior flavor compared to blending or chopping.
Adjust consistency as needed: Thin pesto with extra oil for dressings, or keep thicker for spreading and dipping.
Nutrition
Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 213mg | Potassium: 25mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 198IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 0.3mg
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